U21 Report: Manchester United 2-1 Saints

After a first half where there was little between the two sides, United striker Victor Musa scored twice early in the second period to give the hosts a 2-0 lead at Carrington.

Saints, who had earlier gone close to taking the lead through Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh and Thierry Rohart-Brown, responded well and scored through Tommy Dobson-Ventura, but it was United who took the points on offer.

Adam Lallana's side began the game confidently and, although there were no clear-cut chances in the opening 10 minutes, the visitors to Carrington were knocking the ball round neatly early on.

Soon a good opportunity to break the deadlock arrived when possession was won high in the United half, which gave Harry Gathercole a chance to find Will Merry with a dangerous low cross to the front post, but the latter could only divert his effort over the bar.

Despite Saints looking best on the ball, it proved to be a tight first half overall and United had to wait until just before the half hour mark for their first shot on target; Jim Thwaites was denied by a comfortable save from Hugo Fisher.

Both teams went into the break goalless though, with the scoreline reflecting an even contest up to that point.

A fast start to the second start from Saints saw then have two good opportunities to score in quick succession, as O’Brien-Whitmarsh forced a save from goalkeeper Will Murdock when he swivelled and fired a low effort towards the far corner, before Rohart-Brown went close from a similar situation.

However, United took the lead shortly afterwards when Jack Fletcher’s dangerous free-kick delivery was headed home by Musa.

It was harsh on Saints, and the home side then showed more brutal attacking play to double their lead just ten minutes later.

Jayce Fitzgerald and Jack Fletcher combined, with the latter firing a ball across the Saints area to set up Musa once again for a simple finish and his second goal of the game.

Importantly, the response from Saints was good and they halved the deficit when a corner from Rohart-Brown found the head of Dobson-Ventura, as the centre-back smashed home on the rebound after seeing his initial header saved.

At this stage, it was important for Saints to give themselves the best possible chance to get something from the game and Hugo Fisher produced a superb save to keep the score at 2-1, tipping Fitzgerald’s firm strike wide as the home winger was played through into the box.

This earned a chance to get a late equaliser, although it was United who went closer to scoring again when both Musa and Finley McAllister hit the woodwork in stoppage time, as the hosts saw out their narrow win.

Saints are next in action on Friday 20th March when they face Leeds United in Premier League 2, with kick off at The Silverlake Stadium set for 7pm.

Manchester United: Murdock, Ogunneye, Fredricson (Jackson 45'), Kukoni, Leon, T. Fletcher, Moorhouse (McAllister 60'), Thwaites, Musa, J. Fletcher (Bradbury 84'), Fitzgerald (Overy 85').

Subs not used: Honor.

Goals: Musa (49', 59').

Yellow cards: Fitzgerald, Thwaites.

Saints: Fisher, Adjei-Afriyie (Daley 45'), Dobson-Ventura, Kayi Sanda, Sesay, Kakay, O'Brien-Whitmarsh, Rohart-Brown, Gathercole, Sillah Dibaga (Okunola 33'), Merry.

Subs not used: Moore, Tabares, McMullan.

Goals: Dobson-Ventura (68').